Don't mistake lone critters for orphans

Jose D. Enriquez II, Beaumont Enterprise

By Jose D. Enriquez III

Published 3:00 am, Tuesday, April 23, 2013

In Ann Reynold's backyard, there is a cage where the raccoons go when they're about six months old or too large to be in crates. The cage is used to help them get acclimated to the wild before release.
Photo: Jose D. Enriquez III

In Ann Reynold's backyard, there is a cage where the raccoons go...

Ann Reynolds holds a two-week-old baby raccoon. After feeding, the raccoon fell asleep. Reynolds says the newly-born babies always fall asleep after eating. In the 29 years Reynolds has been a rehabilitator, she has cared for other animals like beavers, otters and foxes.
Photo: Jose D. Enriquez III

Ann Reynolds holds a two-week-old baby raccoon. After feeding, the...

Ann Reynolds cares for numerous mammals like raccoon and beavers. Recnelty, she was given three 8-week-old raccoons who were found in someone's home. Reynolds is a licensed rehabilitator for Texas Parks and Wildlife.
Photo: Jose D. Enriquez III

Ann Reynolds cares for numerous mammals like raccoon and beavers....

Ann Reynolds holds a two-week-old baby raccoon while feeding it imitation milk. Reynolds says the newly-born babies always fall asleep after eating. In the 29 years Reynolds has been a rehabilitator, she has cared for other animals like beavers, otters and foxes.
Photo: Jose D. Enriquez III

Ann Reynolds holds a two-week-old baby raccoon while feeding it...

Ann Reynolds cares for numerous mammals like raccoon and beavers. Recnelty, she was given three 8-week-old raccoons who were found in someone's home. She said the neighbor was nice enough to cut out a hole and get them out. The mother had run off.
Photo: Jose D. Enriquez III

Ann Reynolds cares for numerous mammals like raccoon and beavers....

A 2-week-old baby raccoon sleeps inside of its incubator. The baby was found in the wall of a home. Its siblings died, and the mother was killed.
Photo: Jose D. Enriquez III

This time of year, everything is having babies - raccoons, foxes, birds.

If you come across a new baby, it's best to leave it alone, said Mike Boone, a Hardin County game warden.

Boone said his department gets dozens of calls and drop-offs this time of year about animals that people assume are orphaned.

In most cases, the caller has stumbled upon a momma's hiding place for her new baby.

"[People] come across a fawn, and they see it laying there and think the momma doesn't want it anymore," Boone said. "But does will leave their babies and come back to feed them every 12 to 24 hours."

Boone says the only time animals should be picked up and brought in for rehabilitation is when the baby is in immediate danger.

If an animal is picked up, the state agency will try to pair it with a licensed rehabilitator, like Beaumont's Ann Reynolds.

Reynolds, who started rehabilitating animals in 1984, is one of only a handful of licensed rehabilitators in the region.

"Most mothers will take their offspring back," she said. "If you find raccoons in your attic, don't call to have them picked up. Gather them up in a shallow box and set them outside. The mother will come back and move them to a safer location."

Reynolds said to keep in mind that wild animals are always on the move, and mothers can only move one baby at a time. So try to give the animals space and have a little patience that the mother will return.

Wild animals have a better chance of survival in the wild than in captivity, Boone said.

Boone said it's illegal to possess any wildlife without appropriate licensing. If caught, violators could be charged with a Class C misdemeanor that carries a fine of up to $500.